Waste Management, in partnership with the Oregon E-Cycles program, will be hosting free e-cycling events at eight locations this summer.
During the events, which will take place from June 26th through July 31st, participants can bring in their old, used desktop computers, laptops, monitors, and TVs to be safely recycled for free. Individuals can recycle up to seven electronics at the summer events.
The eight Oregon locations for the events are Gold Beach, Lakeview, Burns, John Day, Heppner, Moro, Madras, and Hood River.
The event is just another step that Oregon has taken in its hope of becoming the greenest state in the U.S. In January, Oregon passed a law prohibiting the disposal of electronics into garbage carts or disposal sites. Those who are caught dumping e-waste could be fined by the state.
“We know people want to recycle electronic waste responsibly and economically,” said Chad Miller, a senior project manager for Waste Management's e-cycling services. “These events provide a convenient and cost-effective solution that protects the environment and allows materials to be recycled into new products.”
Oregon E-Cycles states that all of the electronics recycled during the events will be safely processed at Waste Management Facilities that are ISO 14001 and 9001 certified.
The program was started in 2009 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and is financed by electronics manufacturers. The goal of the program was to cut down the amount of e-waste that the state produces and reducing the amount of greenhouse gases.
According to Oregon E-Cycles, “Oregonians throw away tens of millions of pounds of unwanted electronics each year.” Toxins from materials in electronics have been known to be harmful not only to the environment, but to people’s health.
All events will be held from 9am to 3 pm
Gold Beach - Saturday, June 26 - Curry County Fairgrounds
Lakeview - Saturday, July 10 - parking lot at Saturday Market, No 2nd St and D St
Burns - Sunday, July 11 - Harney County Fairgrounds
John Day - Saturday, July 17 - Grant County Fairgrounds
Heppner - Sunday, July 18 - Morrow County Fairgrounds
Moro - Saturday, July 24 - Sherman County High School
Madras - Sunday, July 25 - Madras High School
Hood River - Saturday, July 31 - Waterfront Park Expo Center/west parking lot